Dr Marjolein Kammers

Dr Marjolein Kammers is a research psychologist, with a background spanning both fundamental cognitive neuroscience and clinical translational research. She is also an AHPRA-registered psychologist and actively works with clients in clinical practice.

Her research spans four distinct research lines, applying both quantitative and qualitative methods.

Her PhD and postdoctoral research (completed in part at UCL in London) was in the field of cognitive neuroscience: understanding the interactions between neural body representations and pain. Using a range of bodily illusions, such as the now well-known Rubber Hand Illusion, she investigated how bodily experiences interact with basic sensory processing and physiological responses.

More recently, she led the clinical translation project M-HELP: Mental Health and Early Loss of Pregnancy. This project aimed to improve the mental health care provided to women and partners who experience early pregnancy loss (i.e. miscarriage). The project developed and delivered Australia's first evidence-based, empirically-tested intervention program, and Dr Kammers went on to show that it significantly improves both the mental health outcomes of bereaved parents as well as the confidence and competence of healthcare providers.

In a third research line, she works together with the UQ Parenting and Family Support Centre to investigate parent identity -- the way in which someone identifies with their parenting role and/or defines themselves as a parent, including how important this role is to them, and how it influences their values and beliefs.

In her final research line, Dr Kammers investigates ways to support individuals and families with neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and ASD. Combining her clinical experience as a registered psychologist with her research background, she investigates how best to provide post-diagnosis support.